Which Endoscope

[Dean Lofthouse]

Lots of talk about bats and checking for them just lately.

 

I have been going to get a small diameter endoscope for a long time now, mainly for checking inside engine cylinders etc but have thought I can justify one now for checking for Bats.

 

It has to be small diameter around 6mm for fitting in injector holes but wondered if any of you bat people (Chris) have any recommendations as to length, rigid or flexy, and optical image transfer or electronic.

 

I like the dart ones, but have also looked at Provision. Link below

 

http://www.dartsystems.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=51

 

I thought about offering a Detailed Bat inspection service Pre felling?? But I would also want to do a course (chris) beforehand

[christreeroot]

I am about to pop out, but will reply to this in full later.....

[Dean Lofthouse]

Nobody has an Endoscope??

[Andy Collins]

never even considered buying one, til you brought it up!! Now its got me thinking, another string to the bow and all that. How do they operate? Thru a camera?

[christreeroot]

Ah sorry forgoy to reply.....

 

 

If you use an endoscope to check for bats it is classed as disturbing a habitat and therefore illegal....... unless you are a registered bat worker etc..

 

The above statement is only true if there are bats in a hole etc, but you dont know until its in so the advice is not to do it.

 

If you want an endoscope then for value for money those provision pv2 from dart systems are great.. Probably the 18" in length would be great for you and you will want a flexible model.......

 

Again you cant check for bats in this methord as you will be classed as distubing any that are found and therefore breaking the law..

 

The course we are putting together for "the working arborist" will go over this and other regulations as well as showing you how to look for signs in other ways....

[Andy Collins]

http://www.dartsystems.co.uk/shop/product_info.php?cPath=51&products_id=175 is this the one?

[christreeroot]

yes its great..... if anybody is over near buckley i have left one in a wooded site....

[Andy Collins]

Obviously you dont wish to give to much away Chris, as your organising a course, but in the hectic and real world of tree works, surely a quick inspection with the endoscope would be better to ensure a habitat is not removed unwittingly? It would give a better insight as to whats going on inside the cavities, and surely we're not talking of prodding our sleeping bat friends with the scope, just looking into their world.

[Andy Collins]

yes its great..... if anybody is over near buckley i have left one in a wooded site....

 

Good job they're water-proof then!!

[Dean Lofthouse]

I agree Andy.

 

I have taken many trees down with cavities and niches, which I would rather check first.

 

If I did spot bats then the tree wouldn't come down until they had been sorted properly.

 

If in the past I have been unsure, I have lowered carefuly the section of wood and left it on the ground over night till the next day.

 

I would much rather be able to whip up the tree and carry out a visual inspection prior to works. I would be devastated to think I had unwittingly disturbed a colony or even a single bat.

 

Sometimes the law is a little too specific